Manually propelled treadmill vehicle



United States Patent O 3,332,704 MANUALLY PROPELLED TREADMILL VEHICLE Richard E. McVicker, 419 Linwood, Indianapolis, Ind. 46201 Filed Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,628 7 Claims. (Cl. 2863-228) The present invention relates to a manually propelled toy, more particularly to a means and method whereby a child may transport himself from place to place thereby amusing himself.

Manually propelled toys are known and have found utility in both transporting the operator from his present location to a desired location While at the same time amusing the operator. These known toys are of several different Varieties such as a scooter that comprises a narrow board mounted on two tandem wheels and guided by a handle attached to a front wheel or a toy auto that comprises a compartment having a seat mounted on two abreast pairs of wheels. The scooter is propelled by a child placing a foot on the narrow board and using his other foot to push against a resisting surface on which the scooter rests such as cement or the like. The scooter is thereby propelled in a direction opposite to the direction of the force exerted by the child through his foot engaging with the cement. The toy auto may be propelled by pedals iixedly attached to a large sprocket wheel that carries therearound a chain. The chain is connected to and drives a small sprocket wheel. The small sprocket wheel is iixedly coupled to the rearmost axle carrying a pair of abreast wheels in such a manner that alternate pushing by the feet of the child drives the toy auto forward.

The present invention vcontemplates the use of a treadmill like means cooperatively associated with a unidirectional clutch means that translates the work of a child into a force utilized in propelling a toy carrying a child in a predetermined direction. The means and methods of propelling the toy of the present invention are thought to be substantially injury free in that the center of gravity of the operator, the child, tends to coincide with the center of -gravity of the toy thereby minimizing the chance that the toy may overturn thereby frightening and/ or injurying the child. The feet of the child are required to be displaced in the direction of the toy thereby substantially eliminating the possibility that the child may inadvertently step off the toy in a direction opposite to that of the movement of the toy. A combination steering and stabilizing means ensures that the forward momentum of the feet of the child is not transferred to the body of the child thereby displacing the body of the child in a forward direction over the front of the toy.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention t' provide a manually propelled toy utilizing a novel combination of a treadmill-like means and a unidirectional clutch means for translating the movement of the feet of an operator to a force that propels the toy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually propelled toy possessing improved operating characteristics.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a manually propelled toy that is inexpensive to manufacture and reliable in operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a unidirectional clutch means that engages with a drive axle having coupled thereto a pair of abreast Wheels, the clutch means engaging and disengaging the drive axle with accuracy.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a manually propelled toy that is simple to fabricate .and assemble.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, efficient, and practical manually propelled toy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a manually propelled device 'having optimum reliability characteristics afforded by a construction having a minimum of parts.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a manually propelled toy that can be easily and safetly operated by a child.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a manually propelled toy that is educational while amusing the child.

The present invention, in another of its aspects, relates to the novel features of the nstrumentalities of the invention described herein for teaching the principal objects of the invention and to the novel principles employed in the nstrumentalities whether or not these features and principles may be used in the said object and/ or in the said field.

With the aforementioned objects enumerated, other objects will be apparent to those persons possessing ordinary skill in the art. Other objects will appear in the following description, appended claims, and appended drawings. The invention resides in the novel construction, combination, arrangement, and cooperation of elements as Ahereinafter described and more particularly as defined in the appended claims. The appended drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present invention constructed to function in the most advantageous modes devised for the practical application of the basic principles involved in the hereinafter described invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the manually propelled toy with a portion thereof cut-away to illustrate the relative position of the components of the toy.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the manually propelled toy showing the direction of `movement of the childs feet and the direction of movement of a treadmilllike means so as to propel the toy.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional View showing the unidirectional clutch means engaged with the drive axle.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-Sectional view illustrating a platform and a portion of a tread cooperatively associated with the platform and inclined at an angle with respect to the horizontal.

Generally speaking, the means and methods of the present invention relate to translating the work performed by a child into a motion to propel a toy. The toy includes a frame that has an aperture. A steering and stabilizing means is pivotably coupled to the frame. A `drive or rear axle is coupled to the frame means. A front axle is fixedly connected to the steering and stabilizing means. A pair of wheels are rotatably journalled to each of the axles. A

clutch means is carried by the rear axle and engages with the rear axle when displ-aced. A continuous tread means is coupled to the clutch means and positioned in the aperture of the frame means such that displacement of the tread means causes the clutch to engage with the rear axle and thereafter displace the axle soV -as to propel the toy.

More particularly, the manually propelled toy includes a predeterminately shaped frame means including an aperture and a platform underlaying the aperture and connected to the frame. A steering and stabilizing means is pivotably coupled to the frame. A lrear axle is coupled to the frame means. A vfront axle is xedly coupled to the steering and 'stabilizing means. A pair of wheels are rotatably journalled to each of the axles. A unidirectional .clutch means is carried by the rear axle. The clutch means axle, a wedge-shaped means, and an umbilical cord means connecting the wedge shaped means to the cylindricalshaped means. The wedge means is positioned between the surface yof the egg-shaped aperture and the axle. The clutch means engages with the rear axle when displaced in a first direction and free-wheeling `of the axle and the eggshaped aperture when displaced in a second direction. A continuous tread means 'is coupled to the saw-toothed periphery of the unidirectional clutch and positioned in the aperture yof the frame means `such that displacement of the tread means in a first direction causes the clutch to engage with the rear axle land thereafter to rotatably displace the axle so as to propel the toy.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings, the manually propelled toy is illustrated by the numeral 10. A predeterminately shaped frame means 11, fabricated from any durable plastic or metal such as steel or the like, is

'utilized as the main mounting member to which other components of the toy are coupled. The frame includes both a relatively large aperture 12 and a relatively small aperture 13.

A steering and stabilizing means 14 is mounted so as to be perpendicular to the plane of the frame 11. The steering and stabilizing means includes a cone-like member 15 that has a substantially U-shaped cross-section that is mounted on the frame in such a manner so as to be arcuately displaceable with respect to the frame. A pin 16 of the cone-like member 15 projects through the aperture 13 and is coupled to the supports 17 and 17 that are used to support the axle 18. Axle 18 carries on either extremity thereof a wheel 19- and -a wheel 19. As clearly shown in FIGURE 1, the upper portion lof the steering and stabilizing means serves as a seat for a handle 20. It will be noted that arcuate displacement of the handle will cause a like arcuate displacement iof the cone-like member 15 and hence an arcuate displacement of the wheels 19' and 19. It is seen that the direction of travel of the manually propelled toy may be controlled by simply arcuately displacing the handle 20.

Positioned rearward and located on either side of the frame is an apertured V-shaped member 21. .It will be noted that but a single V-shaped member 21 is shown. An axle 22 is rotatably seated in the apertures of the V- shaped members. Axle 22 carries thereon and between the respective V-shaped members a unidirectional clutch means 23. The unidirectional clutch means includes a cylindrically-shaped means 24 having a saw-toothed periphery 25, a wedge means 25, and an eg -shaped aperture 27. The unidirectional clutch is of the type whereby the cylindrically-shaped means 24 is displaced in the clockwise direction, the means 214 engages with and rotatably drives in the clockwise direction the rear axle. When the unidirectional clutch is displaced in the counterclockwise direction, the means 24 `disengages the rear axle and therefore is rotatably displaced independently of the rear axle.

More particularly, the unidirectional clutch functions such that when the means 24 is arcu-ately displaced in the clockwise direction, the wedge means remains substantially in place until the wedge means engages with the peripheral surfaces of the rear axle and the periphery of the egg-shaped aperture 27. Further clockwise displacement of the means 24 causes a like clockwise arcuate displacement of the rear axle due to the presence of the coefficient of friction that exists between the portion of the wed-ge means that engages with the means 24 and that exists between the portion of the `wedge means that engages with the rear axle. The wedge means is integral with the cylindrical-shaped means 24 by means of a resilient umbilical cord means 28 that couples the wedge means to the cylindrically-shaped means.

Rotatably journalled to the frame 11 in spaced parallel relationship thereto as shown in FIGURE 2, is a pair of roller means 29 and 29. A continuous tread 30` is positioned so as to substantially fill the large aperture 12 of the frame and pass over the roller means 29 and 29' and thereafter pass under the cylindrical-shaped means 24. Suicient tension is maintained on the tread so that the tread engages with the portion of the saw-toothed periphery as shown in FIGURE 3. A second aperture 33` allows the tension on the tread to be increased merely by moving the roller 29 so as to be positioned in the aperture 33.

With the aforementioned structural disclosure in mind and by continued reference to the several figures of the drawing, the following analysis of the operation of the present invention will further serve to amplify the novelty of the present invention.

Assuming a child grasps the handle with his hands and pushes with his feet in the direction of arrow 32 as shown in FIGURE l and more clearly illustrated in FIG- URE 2, the tread riding on platform 35 is displaced in the direction `of arrow 32. The tread is displaced over and partially around roller 29. At substantially the same time,

- the tread is displaced under and partially around cylindrically-shaped means 23. Since the tread is continuous, as disclosed hereinbefore, the tread rides over and partially around the roller 29'. Thus it is seen that the displacement of the tread by the childs feet takes place. As described previously, the tread is wound sufficiently tight so as to frictionally engage with the cylindrically-shaped means 23. The displacement of the tread causes the tread to engage with and thereafter displace the peripheral sawtoothed shaped teeth of the means 23 in the clockwise direction. Since the saw-toothed shaped teeth are integral with the cylindrical means 23, the means 23 is displaced in the clockwise direction. The wedge means 26 of the unidirectional clutch remains substantially in its initial position. However, shortly thereafter the wedge means frictionally engages with a portion of the egg-shaped aperture of the cylindrical shaped means and also frictionally engages with a portion of the curved surface of the rear axle 22. Continued arcuate displacement of the means 24 causes the wedge means to become firmly engaged with and between the rear axle and the means 24 such that additional arcuate displacement of means 24 is transferred through the Wedge means to the rear axle so as to arcuately displace the rear axle. As disclosed hereinbefore, the rear axle has iixedly coupled thereto a pair of wheels 34 and 34 that are rotationally displaced in the clockwise direction to thereby displace the toy in the de-I sired forward direction. The steering and stabilizing means 14 may be arcuately displaced to maneuver the toy to travel in the desired direction.

It is noted that the pushing of the tread in a direction opposite to that of arrow 32 causes the means 24 to be displaced in the counterclockwise direction. The portion of the egg-shaped aperture 27 disengages with the Surface of the wedge means. It is seen that no frictional engagement exists between the means 24 and the rear axle 22 thereby allowing the means 24 to rotate independently of the rear axle. The umbilical cord means 28 couples the wedge means to the means 24 and thereby carries the wedge means in the counterclockwise direction without engaging the rear axle.

FIGURE 4 shows the platform at an angle with the horizontal. A plurality of friction reducing means 31 underlaying the uppermost portion 4of the tread to facilitate the movement of the tread by the child. The angle allows the child to push downwardly thereby giving the child an additional mechanical advantage.

While the invention is illustrated and described in an embodiment, it will be understood that modilications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of this invention and as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A manually propelled toy for amusing a child comprising: a frame means including an aperture; a steering and stabilizing means pivotably coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to said frame means; a front axle lixedly coupled to said steering and stabilizing means; a pair of wheels rotatably journalled to each of said axles; a

clutch means carried by said rear axle, said clutch means engaging with said rear axle when displaced; and a continuous tread means coupled to said clutch and positioned in said aperture of said frame means such that displacement of said tread means causes said clutch to engage with said rear axle and thereafter displace said axle so as to propel said toy.

2. A manually propelled toy for amusing a child comprising: a predeterminately shaped frame means including an aperture; a steering and stabilizing means pivotably coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to said frame means; a front axle xedly coupled to said steering and stabilizing means; a pair of wheels rotatably journalled to each of said axles; a unidirectional clutch means carried by said rear axle, said clutch means engaging with said rear axle when displaced in a iirst direction and free-wheeling of said shaft when displaced in a second direction; and a continuous tread means coupled to said unidirectional clutch and positioned in said aperture of said frame means such that displacement of said tread means in a first direction causes said clutch to engage with said rear axle and thereafter displace said axle so as to propel said toy.

3. A manually propelled toy for amusing a child comprising: a predeterminately shaped frame means including an aperture and a platform underlaying said aperture and connected to said frame means; a steering and stabilizing means pivotably coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to said frame means; a front axle fxedly coupled to said steering and stabilizing means; a pair of wheels rotatably journalled to each of said axles; a unidirectional clutch means carried by said rear axle, said clutch means including a cylindrical-shaped means having an egg-shaped aperture interiitting with said axle, a Wedgeshaped means, and an umbilical cord means connecting said wedge means to said cylindrical-shaped means, said wedge means positioned between the surface of said eggshaped aperture and said axle, said clutch means engaging with said rear axle and said egg-shaped aperture when displaced in a first direction and free-Wheeling of said axle and said egg-shaped aperture when displaced in a second direction; and a continuous tread means coupled to said unidirectional clutch and positioned in said aperture of said frame means such that displacement of said tread means in a rst direction causes said clutch to engage with said rear axle and thereafter displace said axle so as to propel said toy.

4. A manually propelled toy for amusing a child comprising: a predeterminately shaped frame means including an aperture and a platform underlaying said aperture and connected to said frame; a steering and stabilizing means pivotably coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to said frame means; a front axle ixedly coupled to steering and stabilizing means; a pair of wheels rotatably journalled to each of said axles; a unidirectional clutch means carried by said rear axle, said clutch means including a cylindrical-shaped means having an egg-shaped aperture interii-tting with said axle and a wedge means positioned between the surface of said egg-shaped aperture and said axle, said wedge means engaging with said rear axle and said egg-shaped aperture when displaced in a iirst direction and free-wheeling of said axle and said eggshaped aperture when displaced in a second direction; and a continuous tread means coupled to said unidirectional clutch and positioned in said aperture of said frame means such that displacement of said tread means in a first direction causes said clutch to engage with said rear axle and thereafter displace said axle so as to propel said toy.

5. A manually propelled toy for amusing a child comprising: a predeterminately shaped frame means including an aperture and a platform underlaying said aperture and connected to said frame; a steering and stabilizing means coupled to said frame; a front axle iixedly coupled to said steering and stabilizing means; a pair of wheels rotatably journalled to each of said axles; a unidirectional clutch means carried by said rear axle, said clutch means including a cylindrical-shaped means having an egg-shaped aperture interiitting with said axle and a wedge means positioned between the surface of said egg-shaped aperture and said axle, said clutch means engaging with said rear axle when displaced in a first direction and freewheeling of said axle when displaced in a second direction; and a continuous tread means coupled to said unidirectional clutch and positioned in said aperture of said frame means and overlaying said platform of said frame means such that displacement of said tread means in a first direction causes said clutch to engage with said rear axle and thereafter displace said axle so as to propel said toy.

6. A manually propelled toy for amusing a child comprising: a predeterminately shaped frame means including an aperture and a platform underlaying said aperture and connected to said frame; a steering and stabilizing means pivotably coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to said frame means; a front axle ixedly coupled to said steering and stabilizing means; a pair of wheels rotatably journalled to each of said axles; a unidirectional clutch means carried by said rear axle, said clutch means engaging with said rear ax-le when displaced in a lirst direction and free-Wheeling of said axle when displaced in a second direction; and a continuous tread means coupled to said unidirectional clutch and positioned in said aperture of said frame means and overlaying said Iplatform of said frame means such that displacement of said tread means in a first direction causes said clutch to engage with said rear axle and thereafter displace said axle so as to propel said toy.

7. A manually propelled toy for amusing a child comprising: a predeterminately shaped frame means including an aperture and a platform underlaying said aperture and connected to said frame; a steering and stabilizing means pivotably coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to said frame means; a front axle iixedly coupled to said steering and stabilizing means; a pair of wheels rotatably journalled to each of said axles; a unidirectional clutch means carried by said rear axle, said clutch means including a cylindrical-shaped means having a saw-toothed periphery and an egg-shaped aperture interitting with said axle, a Wedge means and an umbilical cord means connecting said wedge means to said cylindrical-shaped means, said wedge means positioned between the surface of said egg-shaped aperture and said axle, said clutch means engaging with said rear axle when displaced in a first direction and free-wheeling of said axle and said eggshaped aperture when displaced in a second direction; and a continuous tread means coupled to said saw-toothed periphery of said unidirectional clutch and positioned in said aperture of said frame means such that displacement of said tread means in a first direction causes said clutch to engage with said rear axle and thereafter rotatably displace said axle so as to propel said toy.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 159,980 2/ 1875 Trible et al 18S-16 1,353,011 9/1920 Young 280-228 1,455,901 5/ 1923 Chipman 192-64 1,614,086 1/ 1927 Schaper 280-228 1,696,927 1/ 1929 Snyder 280--228 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,427 6/ 1921 France.

(Addition to No. 520,907)

KENNETH H. BE'ITS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MANUALLY PROPELLED TOY FOR AMUSING A CHILD COMPRISING: A FRAME MEANS INCLUDING AN APERTURE; A STEERING AND STABILIZING MEANS PIVOTABLY COUPLED TO SAID FRAME; A REAR AXLE COUPLED TO SAID FRAME MEANS; A FRONT AXLE FIXEDLY COUPLED TO SAID STEERING AND STABLIZING MEANS; A PAIR OF WHEELS ROTATABLY JOURNALLED TO EACH OF SAID AXLES; A CLUTCH MEANS CARRIED BY SAID REAR AXLE, SAID CLUTCH MEANS ENGAGING WITH SAID REAR AXLE WHEN DISPLACED; AND A CONTINUOUS TREAD MEANS COUPLED TO SAID CLUTCH AND POSITIONED IN SAID APERTURE OF SAID FRAME MEANS SUCH THAT DISPLACEMENT OF SAID TREAD MEANS CAUSES SAID CLUTCH TO ENGAGE WITH SAID REAR AXLE AND THEREAFTER DISPLACE SAID AXLE SO AS TO PROPEL SAID TOY. 